시간 vs 시각
Korean word comparison
Listen to 시간
Listen to 시각
| 시간 | 시각 |
|---|---|
shi-GAN noun | si-gak noun |
| time; the ongoing sequence of events, a moment, or a duration measured in hours/minutes | a specific point in time; clock time; a precise moment |
How they differ
시각 refers to a precise point on the clock or a specific moment (e.g., 3:00 PM), while 시간 can mean either a point in time or a span/duration measured in hours/minutes; 시각 is used when precision or a clock reading is emphasized.
When to use each
When to use 시간: Prefer 시간 when talking about general time, available time, or durations (e.g., 'two hours', 'time to do something').
When to use 시각: Prefer 시각 when you want to indicate an exact clock time or a specific moment on a schedule.
Side-by-side examples
- 회의 시간을 오전 10시로 정했어요.
(I set the meeting time for 10:00 AM.) - 회의 시각은 오전 10시예요.
(The meeting time is 10:00 AM.)
Register & nuance: 시각 is slightly more formal and often used in schedules, announcements, timetables or written contexts compared with 시간.